If Jean’s life were to be made into a movie, it would be a story of a fighter and of a champion. No, not another boxing movie (although Jean was known to throw the occasional punch), but of a feisty and sometimes stubborn spirit that beat all odds throughout her life! Jean (born Jean Elizabeth Watt) beat her first challenger, 80 years ago, as she entered the ring on September 24, 1938 at 6:30 AM at the Saint Joseph Hospital in Sudbury, weighing-in, fighting shape, at just 1lb.10 ounces (yes, 26 oz. in medical facilities over 80 years ago)! Born to parents Hector Raymond Watt and Laura Jean Cameron, the family moved from Copper Cliff, Ontario to Renfrew, Ontario where Jean attended the Renfrew Public Grade School.
It was in Ottawa where Jean would meet John Scott, and at the tender age of 20, they were married at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Renfrew, Ontario in 1958. A life with John was also a life with the Canadian Armed Forces, with postings in Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Chatham, New Brunswick, Holberg, BC, North Bay, Ontario, Goose Bay, Labrador and Falconbridge, Ontario before settling down in Ottawa.
Jean was not a fan of being uprooted with every relocation post, nor was she a fan of the Canadian Armed Forces’ regimented structure and style, but she persevered. It was in their first two postings however, that were the highlights of Jean’s life. It was in Chatham, New Brunswick, where they found, fell in love with, and adopted their daughter, Laura Jean.
Two and a half years later, against all medical odds, Jean delivered their daughter, Deborah Anne. In Jean-like fashion, Deb too was an early arrival. Jean failed to make the boat ride to the Vancouver hospital. Deborah was delivered prematurely, on the Nimkish Navy Vessel over Quatsino Sound near Northwestern Vancouver Island.
Jean worked at many different locations but was particularly fond of her 10year stint making some of the world's best deli sandwiches at the Rhineland Gourmet Shop located on Sparks Street in Ottawa. Everyone knew and loved Jean for her playful banter. Jean had a knack of making customers feel at ease with her dry wit and would strike up conversations with strangers as easily as bartenders would with their patrons.
She also had an uncanny ability to read people very quickly. Jean never lived in a world of "fake news" and detested BS! (she was always quick to let people know exactly what she was thinking!)
Jean played a mean game of Euchre, enjoyed camping holidays with her family, and often could be seen sitting on her couch with her Harlequin Romance novel in hand, sipping on a glass of her favourite German Riesling, with her favourite crooners; Frank, Dean, Bing, Roger, Neil, Tom and Engelbert playing in the background.
She particularly loved taking her four grandkids to the CNE every year. The grandkids loved Jean as much as she loved them, and they always craved for sleepovers at Grannies!
Jean was predeceased by her parents Hector Raymond and Laura Jean, her two brothers, Jack and Ron, and her daughter Deborah. She is survived by her daughter Laura Jean Lamarche (Normand); grandkids Scott and Cameron Graham, Chantale and Alex Lamarche; and her two great grandsons Elijah and Hadley Graham; as well as many nieces and nephews. Special mention and thanks to both Emalyn and Juvie, who cared for Jean in her latter years and whom Jean considered as family.
Jean’s final years were filled with medical battles (a list too long to print), and with each setback, and at many times, "against-all-odds", our fighter and champion would get up again, only to throw quick combinations of her dry wit and charm right back at us!
It was in Ottawa where Jean would meet John Scott, and at the tender age of 20, they were married at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Renfrew, Ontario in 1958. A life with John was also a life with the Canadian Armed Forces, with postings in Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia, Chatham, New Brunswick, Holberg, BC, North Bay, Ontario, Goose Bay, Labrador and Falconbridge, Ontario before settling down in Ottawa.
Jean was not a fan of being uprooted with every relocation post, nor was she a fan of the Canadian Armed Forces’ regimented structure and style, but she persevered. It was in their first two postings however, that were the highlights of Jean’s life. It was in Chatham, New Brunswick, where they found, fell in love with, and adopted their daughter, Laura Jean.
Two and a half years later, against all medical odds, Jean delivered their daughter, Deborah Anne. In Jean-like fashion, Deb too was an early arrival. Jean failed to make the boat ride to the Vancouver hospital. Deborah was delivered prematurely, on the Nimkish Navy Vessel over Quatsino Sound near Northwestern Vancouver Island.
Jean worked at many different locations but was particularly fond of her 10year stint making some of the world's best deli sandwiches at the Rhineland Gourmet Shop located on Sparks Street in Ottawa. Everyone knew and loved Jean for her playful banter. Jean had a knack of making customers feel at ease with her dry wit and would strike up conversations with strangers as easily as bartenders would with their patrons.
She also had an uncanny ability to read people very quickly. Jean never lived in a world of "fake news" and detested BS! (she was always quick to let people know exactly what she was thinking!)
Jean played a mean game of Euchre, enjoyed camping holidays with her family, and often could be seen sitting on her couch with her Harlequin Romance novel in hand, sipping on a glass of her favourite German Riesling, with her favourite crooners; Frank, Dean, Bing, Roger, Neil, Tom and Engelbert playing in the background.
She particularly loved taking her four grandkids to the CNE every year. The grandkids loved Jean as much as she loved them, and they always craved for sleepovers at Grannies!
Jean was predeceased by her parents Hector Raymond and Laura Jean, her two brothers, Jack and Ron, and her daughter Deborah. She is survived by her daughter Laura Jean Lamarche (Normand); grandkids Scott and Cameron Graham, Chantale and Alex Lamarche; and her two great grandsons Elijah and Hadley Graham; as well as many nieces and nephews. Special mention and thanks to both Emalyn and Juvie, who cared for Jean in her latter years and whom Jean considered as family.
Jean’s final years were filled with medical battles (a list too long to print), and with each setback, and at many times, "against-all-odds", our fighter and champion would get up again, only to throw quick combinations of her dry wit and charm right back at us!
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